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Saturday, 9 April 2016

Making that initial decision of where I wanted to go was definitely the hardest part of the application process for me. I didn't really know what course I wanted to do or where I wanted to go and it was incredibly daunting to have to make a choice in what seemed like a short space of time. The stress was eased once I discovered how much information I could access regarding the places I was thinking about. There are lots of tools that you can use when choosing your university during the application process that can help to ease the stress of making a decision, and that's what we're looking at today.

Let's talk about league tables; there are so many of them that it can be difficult to know which ones to trust and which ones are useless for you. So many people make the mistake of looking at tables that are irrelevant to their subject choice. You need to make sure that when viewing league tables, you filter them to focus on the subject you wish to take. This is because a general league table will tell you the 'best' universities, but they may not actually be the 'best' for your subject.

It's also a good idea to look at student led league tables, these are the honest polls that will give you an honest idea about where has the best student experience or the best modules for your degree. The National Student Survey is ultimately a great source, but it certainly isn't the only one. Student Hut have a great league table based on student feedback but they also have a great range of other sources. Their league table is based on the 22,000 reviews left by students on the site, and you may be glad to know that it isn't overpowered by Oxbridge pride. It is a table that should be used with caution though, as it only includes universities with more than 50 reviews.

Source: studenthut.com

If you're looking for honest module reviews or snippets of information about a university that isn't masked in sales talk, Student Hut is a brilliant place to look. This year I have had to delve in to choosing a university once again as I embark on the PGCE journey and Student hut was the first place I looked when balancing the pros and cons of my choices. All of the reviews are written by past and present students and they are completely honest. If there are modules that don't work or are extremely difficult, it will tell you. It may not be the ultimate decider, but it is certainly a great place to start if you're struggling so I'd definitely recommend checking them out.

The site also offers a great range of useful articles and some more lighthearted articles to help with your university journey so even if you're not currently in the process of choosing your uni, it's definitely worth checking them out.

Source: studenthut.com

Let me know how your application process is going, or if you're already at university, what might have helped you to make your decision. You can get in touch at any of the links listed here or leave a comment below!

Wednesday, 16 March 2016

It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm not going to go in to details about my absence but the main thing is, I'm back!

Work Based Learning. Those three words that can strike terror in to so many hearts. I'm going to explore the benefits of WBL. You may be wondering why I haven't placed this in the Freshers series, and that would be a very good question. See, this post is not only useful for uni students, but also for parents and younger students, as WBL raises many questions for so many people.

I have been through scheduled WBL experiences around 4 times throughout my life now, all of which I have found to be incredibly valuable visits. Having the opportunity to go on a placement, whether you're in Year 9 or 10, or in University, is really helpful in helping you figure out what it is you want to do in the future. If you want to teach, you can go work in a school, if you want to work with animals, you can go work in a zoo, if you want to be a scientist you can go to a lab; there's so many chances out there that you can take!

Now parents, you may have some worries or questions about sending your Year 9/10 child off in to a working environment. They're still so young! But I promise you, the experience will set your child on their career path of choice. Some of us have no idea what we want to do with our lives when we're that young, our minds flicker between being a popstar, or a footballer, or a teacher, or an astronaut; it's always something that is our ultimate dream goal. But some of us have our minds already made up. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to teach, all of my educational choices were shaped in order to help me gain an advantage in the field. I knew that my WBL placements were going to be educationally focused, and they were. I spent 3 of those placements in a school classroom working with children. But one of them I chose to explore something new, I chose to see how education can be applied elsewhere and went to work in a cathedral.

These placement opportunities allow us with the chance to explore our future, whether we have our minds made up or have no clue. Of course, they can be trying, and there tends to be some level of stress involved. However, there is a greater feeling of purpose and it provides you with a guide on how to follow your dreams. Personally, I enjoyed all of my placements, even if I did find them a bit tedious, terrifying or boring at times. I made some great friends and great connections within the field of education that may afford me later in life.

A photo posted by Tamsin Rebecca (@tammybecks) on May 14, 2015 at 9:35am PDT

If you're going to a university that offers a year in work or a module of WBL, I would definitely recommend taking it, or at least considering it. At Chester, the module consists of a 5 week placement that you can choose. Mine was at the cathedral but I know others who chose to work at the zoo or at activity centres or even with Guides and Brownies! It can really help to have something like this on your CV when you later venture in to the world of work *shudder*, as it shows that you have experience and prior knowledge. I'd also recommend that you actively volunteer or get a part time job whilst at university as it shows the people looking to hire you that you are hard working and didn't just drink your way through your degree. Most universities have a way of volunteering through them, however you can also go out and find those volunteer opportunities for yourself. As I am looking to teach, I sent emails out asking for volunteer opportunities at all of the schools in the nearby area and managed to get a place working with some lovely kids and some inspiring teachers. You may email 20 places and only get 1 reply, but that's exactly how it's going to be when your applying to jobs later in life so it's good practice!

A photo posted by Tamsin Rebecca (@tammybecks) on May 19, 2015 at 3:15am PDT

Well, that's been a whole lot of word vomit from me haha! I hope you've found this splattering of letters useful. If you've got any comments on the topic of WBL, feel free to post below or use any of my social media platforms and get in touch! Use #workbasedwhy to share your thoughts and to guarantee a reply from me.

Friday, 15 January 2016

Do you ever feel like you're missing out on things? Maybe that you're not being social enough so you feel like you're not experiencing things that people your age are supposed to experience? I know I do. I feel that way all the time. I guess some might say I have a major fear of missing out - or as it is so often called, FoMO. But I don't fear missing out, I just know that by not doing certain things or going to certain places I'm not going to get to feel and experience something. Sometimes it bothers me, sometimes it doesn't. But I never fear it.

Let's take meeting people as an example. I don't go to places where one might meet a handsome stranger who will ride off in to the sunset with me... or do I? I go in to town, I go to bars, I go to the library and I go to coffee shops. I go to places where there are plenty of people to bump in to. Am I really missing out on finding that Mr Right? No. Does it feel like I am? Yes. You might now be thinking... why? So let me tell you. I feel like I'm missing out on the opportunity to meet someone because I don't go out on the big student nights, I don't go to the SU and I don't go to parties. See where this is heading? I feel like I'm missing out because I don't enjoy doing the things that a lot of other students do, even though I know that if I were to participate in the same things, I certainly wouldn't enjoy it.

I feel like a lot of people who are said to experience FoMO, aren't really missing out. They are experiencing the same problem as myself, simply not wishing to take part in the first place. I do not feel I am missing out until someone tells me that by not participating, I am indeed missing out on meeting someone. This FoMO is the influence of the people around me who do enjoy the things that I do not telling me that my dislike of such things is wrong because it is not the norm. That surely can't be right?! I guess it's a little like peer pressure, not wanting to do something, but feeling like you should because everyone else is doing it and therefore you are expected to also enjoy it. But what if you don't? What if you can't stand it? Would you really be missing out by not going? No, of course you wouldn't. All you would be missing out on is feeling out of place and like you don't want to be there.

Now in my third year at university, I'm often told I'm missing out. I've learnt to reply by reminding myself that instead of joining in with what everyone else wants to do, I'm taking control. I'm not missing out because I'm doing the things I enjoy, going to the places I like and meeting people who are just like me. I'm no longer a slave to social media where everyone constantly posts about how much fun they're having, instead, I'm having my own fun.

Never be afraid to be yourself, it's the only way you'll discover the things that you will truly fear missing. Give JoMO* a try instead.

Friday, 1 January 2016

This is becoming a tradition! I've decided to write up my resolutions for you guys once again as I do enjoy sharing and seeing what everyone else has decided to do over the next year.

1. Drink 1 glass of water first thing in the morning. My skin has been so much better this year as I've cut down on fizzy drinks and taken up drinking more water so I'd like to stick to the more water plan. However, I've decided to kick-start my day with it rather than drink it as and when I feel like it. I think this may be something that can really help me to start each day feeling healthy and happy.

2. Set and stick to a sleeping pattern. I've always been a terrible sleeper so I'd like to really push for a routine in my life. Throughout the past couple of years I've had brief periods of a brilliant sleeping pattern and it left me feeling better than I think I ever have before! I'd like to say 11.30pm-7.30am would be ideal but I know it's going to take a while to get to that point.

3. Drop a couple dress sizes. This year has been the worst for me in terms of loving myself and feeling self confident. I don't think I've ever hated myself more than I have this year and I'm determined to turn it around. I'd like to lose a chunk of weight, tone up and feel good again. I'll be joining a local gym, going swimming, attempting to take up running properly... doing anything and everything to help me get a little more exercise in my life.

4. Expand my kitchen repertoire. I'd like to be able to cook a wider variety of meals for myself that are not only tasty but also completely healthy and good for me.

5. Push myself to the limit to get the best results. This applies to job hunting, trying new things, coursework and everything related to my degree and general life.

Hello

I'm Tamsin, a 21 year old student taking on life at the University of Chester. Things here vary so be prepared to read about Uni Life, #everydayissues and products as well as totally random things! Do let me know if there's something you'd like me to write about and follow me on Google+ for immediate updates when I make a new post.